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Mid Atlantic Impreza Club Forum sponsored by Annapolis Subaru |
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06-18-2020, 10:36 AM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 129370
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Virginia
Vehicle:2016 WRX |
Virginia catalytic converter laws
I’m looking to add some after market exhaust and I was wondering what the VA Cat requirements are to pass inspection/emissions test.
Also, same question for mufflers, are they required by law/inspection. Thanks
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06-19-2020, 08:11 AM | #2 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 427992
Join Date: Aug 2015
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Northern Virginia
Vehicle:2009 Subaru WRX White |
It's somewhat dependent on the shop/inspector. I've had inspectors that failed my Grimmspeed catted downpipe, and some that are fine with it. The letter of the law says the car needs to have the same number of catalytic converters in the same locations as the factory exhaust.
For cat backs, the inspection station shouldn't care, as long as it's not straight piped. Cops, on the other hand, can give you a ticket at their discretion for any car that sounds louder than factory. The only issue is that it's all subjective - I got dinged for a "double loud exhaust" in Falls Church by a cop for an Invidia Q300, which is supposed to be one of the quietist cat backs available for the 08-10 wrx. I've seen glasspacked trucks go past cops without a second glance, so it might have more to do with tone of the exhaust than total volume. |
06-21-2020, 07:08 PM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 170244
Join Date: Jan 2008
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Summit Point
Vehicle:'16 Outback |
The VA Safety Inspection Manual is worth reviewing.
https://www.vsp.virginia.gov/downloa...01%202019).pdf Specifically page 104. 19VAC30-70-310. Air pollution control system or device. C. Inspect for and reject if: 3. The emission control system or device on motor vehicles manufactured for the model year 1973 or for subsequent model years is not comparable to that designed for use upon the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment. a. New converters - N/XX/YYYY/ZZZZ |
06-22-2020, 10:19 AM | #4 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 33782
Join Date: Mar 2003
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MAIC
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Vehicle:96 3MI Racing search FIRST, then PM!!! |
Yes you need a cat and yes you need a muffler.
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06-22-2020, 07:28 PM | #5 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 170244
Join Date: Jan 2008
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Summit Point
Vehicle:'16 Outback |
technically you can pass the VA State inspection without a muffler but it'll still be illegal to operate on the road.
19VAC30-70-300. Muffler, exhaust system and trailer venting. "NOTE: If a vehicle is inspected that does not have a muffler, the inspector should explain to the customer that although the vehicle will pass inspection without a muffler, it is a violation of state law for the vehicle to be operated on the highway without it." |
06-29-2020, 04:04 PM | #6 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 3597
Join Date: Jan 2001
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Manassas, VA
Vehicle:1985 Baja silver |
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06-29-2020, 06:43 PM | #7 |
NASIOC Vendor
Member#: 198281
Join Date: Dec 2008
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Virginia
Vehicle:2005 WRX/STi WRB of course |
I believe it must remain OEM for 10 years. Manufacturers have to cover the cat for 10 years IIRC. After that point there are many variables; federal, state, and local. You need to dig into them all if you want to know exactly what you can do according to law.
Although, it's all HIGLY subjective based on where you bring it and how ambitions the tech is. Where we are I've brought stock, aftermarket cat, cat-less, EWG, Side exit EWG, and never had an issue. |
07-18-2020, 06:38 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 197218
Join Date: Dec 2008
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: NoVA
Vehicle:2009 Impreza WRX Dark Grey Metallic |
After years of my inspection place passing me with whatever cat I had on the car, they failed my 2020 safety inspection (not emissions inspection), because my cat did not have an EPA code stamped on it.
The station confessed that VA DEQ has been coming down hard on shops that have been skirting emissions regulations. |
08-10-2020, 04:42 PM | #9 | |
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Member#: 507249
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Suburban Washington DC
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Quote:
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08-10-2020, 04:44 PM | #10 |
Scooby Newbie
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How do they check? The place I go to never even puts the car on a lift.
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08-11-2020, 11:38 AM | #11 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 56339
Join Date: Mar 2004
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Skyline Drive, Virginia
Vehicle:2005 saabaru x 2 "wash me" |
do your grandkids (and mine) a favor and always use a catalytic converter. if you want performance there are other ways to get it. if your cat is truly the limiting factor in your next 10 HP, get a racing cat.
my 2 cents. |
09-04-2020, 11:47 AM | #12 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 499478
Join Date: Mar 2019
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VA changed the aftermarket exhaust catalytic converter details at the beginning of 2020. An aftermarket cat that is not registered? will not pass.
I needed to replace my cattted Invidia downpipe as it was not compliant. Mach V crafted one for me, connecting a legal cat with a non-cated downpipe. That passed inspection last month. If anyone is interested in a catted Invidia downpipe, let me know. I have one sitting in the garage...would sell it at 40% retail. |
09-04-2020, 02:52 PM | #13 |
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09-14-2020, 07:06 AM | #14 | |
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Member#: 389458
Join Date: Apr 2014
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MAIC
Location: Around town
Vehicle:2011 WRX Black |
Quote:
Definitely interested to know more about this- my inspection not due until Feb, but would rather get working on this early. |
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09-23-2020, 04:11 PM | #15 | |
Scooby Newbie
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Join Date: Mar 2019
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Update Discussions with Dan @ Mach V
Quote:
I still have my OEM downpipe, if anyone is interested in it. What I have done now, based on later discussions with Dan, is to purchase a new non-catted Invidia downpipe. Mach V then cut it, & welded in a VA legal cat. That revised/upgraded downpipe is what I use now, & my STI passed VA inspection at the dealer in July. So, not only do I have an OEM downpipe available, I also have a catted Invidia downpipe if anyone wants it. It won's pass a VA inspection, but it is good in most states. |
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09-23-2020, 04:24 PM | #16 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 129370
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Virginia
Vehicle:2016 WRX |
Will all aftermarket catted downpipes fail inspection in VA?
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09-23-2020, 04:28 PM | #17 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 507249
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Suburban Washington DC
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09-23-2020, 04:35 PM | #18 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 129370
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Virginia
Vehicle:2016 WRX |
PM’d you
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09-23-2020, 04:45 PM | #19 |
Scooby Specialist
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Loose cats are pricey. That sounds like an expensive solution.
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09-23-2020, 06:21 PM | #20 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 129370
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Virginia
Vehicle:2016 WRX |
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09-23-2020, 07:02 PM | #21 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 507249
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Suburban Washington DC
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No, I don't know anything about that. I'm just saying the place I've had inspections in the past at, have never raised the car so even if it had no cat, it could pass.
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09-24-2020, 10:41 AM | #22 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 499478
Join Date: Mar 2019
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VA Catted Downpipes & Inspection
From what I was told, they would all fail, based on the new law. If you have an under the table inspection agreement with someone, that might help you.
So your options are to get a catted downpipe with a certified/licensed cat, as Mach V made for me, or do the downpipe swap each year using your OEM downpipe for inspection days. |
09-24-2020, 10:45 AM | #23 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 499478
Join Date: Mar 2019
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VA Inspection & Cated Downpipe Upgrades
Quote:
I recommend that you go to the source on this. Ask Mach V for options & quotes. |
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09-25-2020, 06:49 AM | #24 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 389458
Join Date: Apr 2014
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
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Vehicle:2011 WRX Black |
Thanks for the info!
The place I take mine has never put it on a lift, though last year's safety inspection was done by a new guy, so not sure how he does emissions inspections yet. I guess I'll find out in February! If that fails, I'll definitely be giving Dan a call to discuss it, as well as some other fun upgrades |
09-25-2020, 08:43 AM | #25 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 499478
Join Date: Mar 2019
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Response to @Kawabuchi
@Kawabuchi - good luck. If it does not pass, you can do the swap to OEM.
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